Knoch senior Jordan Geist prepares to toss the discus Thursday night at the WPIAL Championships. Geist set WPIAL and state records in the shot put and discus while winning both events.

WHITEHALL — When Jordan Geist was a freshman, he felt himself shrinking away from the limelight and the pressure of performing in front of big crowds.

That's no longer a problem for the Knoch senior, who has garnered such colorful nicknames as the Knochness Monster and Kong of Knoch Island as he draws eager onlookers wherever he goes.

Geist put on another show at the WPIAL Boys Class AAA Track and Field Championships Thursday at Baldwin, breaking a district and state record in the discus with a throw of 208 feet, 7 inches to win gold.

He also set a WPIAL record in the shot put with a winning throw of 73-10¾.

Geist won both in front of large crowds, all expecting herculean efforts from him.

He's learned to roll with it.

“Freshman year I have to admit, I was kind of scared,” Geist said. “It was a bit scary, but I learned to embrace it and channel the adrenaline into my throws.”

Geist also has a keen attention to detail.

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